INSECT ENEMIES OF EASTERN FORESTS O7 
The European mantis (Mantis religiosa L.) was first recorded 
from the United States at Rochester, N. Y., in 1899. It is a medium- 
sized, greenish-yellow species. 
Litaneutria minor (Scudd.), the minor mantis, is much smaller 
than the other species discussed, being a little more than 1 inch long. 
It is found among rocks and short grass in the Great Plains and in 
Mexico. : 
FaMity PHASMATIDAE 
The Walkingsticks 
Our species of this family are remarkable for their resemblance to 
twigs, but some of the tropical forms resemble leaves. The North 
American species found in the East have the body elongate, very 
slender, and subcylindrical; the head free, nearly horizontal, usually 
subquadrate; antennae long; eves small, ocelli often absent: abdomen 
elongate; wings rudimentary except on one in Florida; and legs very 
long and slender, nearly equal in size. They are slow-moving insects 
FicurRE 14.—Walkingstick (Diapheromera femorata). About one-half natural 
size, 
and apparently depend upon their mimicry for protection. All species 
are plant feeders and, except for the species iapheromera femorata 
(Say) (fig. 14), never become abundant enough to be of economic im- 
portance. The eggs are dropped promiscuously to the ground during 
the fall where they remain over winter and sometimes two winters 
before hatching. ‘The eggshells are hard and resemble seeds or small 
beans. 
The walkingstick (Diapheromera femorata (Say) ) is widespread 
over the United States east of the Rocky Mountains and at times 
becomes numerous enough to defoliate the trees over large areas. 
The black oaks and wild cherry are preferred, but it will also feed on 
other species of hardwood trees and shrubs. Graham (/9) reported 
that logging followed by repeated burning in Michigan has produced 
nearly pure oak forests, and this condition is leading to walkingstick 
outbreaks. Only recently have fires (which formerly destroyed the 
eggs) been effectively controlled in the oak hills. Ultimately the out- 
breaks may lead to the improvement of the stand by killing the black 
oaks and allowing the better species, such as white oak and red pine, to 
become more abundant. The spread of the walkingsticks is slow 
because they are wingless and are not so active as many insects. 
